The Climate For Wildfires

California’s 2018 wildfire season is one of the most destructive and fatal on record. The Camp fire and the Woolsey Fire have engulfed hundreds of thousands of acres of land and homes in relatively urban areas. Climate change expert and UCLA geography professor Glen MacDonald discusses how climate change factors into the wildfire equation for the state.

Rewilding The English Countryside

When a 3500-acre agricultural estate in England that had been in one couple’s family for generations was no longer turning a profit, they turned to an unconventional idea – let the land return to nature. Author Isabella Tree explains the many ecological and financial benefits of the rewilded landscape.

Democratic Wins And The Environment

The blue wave 2018 US midterm elections ushered in a new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives and state reps who have strong climate agendas. It also ushered out some climate-denying Republicans. Peter Dykstra discusses who won, who lost and how the environment will fare under this new group of governmental leaders.

The Place Where You Live: Glacier National Park

Software executive and writer Björn Beer describes the breathtaking beauty of Montana’s Glacier National Park and mourns the impending loss of the park's namesakes. It's the latest installment in Living on Earth's collaboration with Orion magazine that gives a voice to Orion's longtime feature in which readers write about the places they call home.

How To Be A Good Creature

From tarantulas to octopuses to the dogs and chickens in her own backyard, Sy Montgomery connects with creatures of all walks of life. They are her friends, her family and especially her teachers. In her latest book, How To Be A Good Creature, she reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her furry, feathered and tentacled friends.

Your Health And Fluoride

Most public water supplies in the United States add fluoride to reduce tooth decay. But as Brian Bienkowski, Editor of Environmental Health News, explains, recent studies show a correlation between fluoridated drinking water and health problems such ADHD and hypothyroidism, which is linked to weight gain and fatigue.

Deepwater Disaster Three Years On

Just three years ago, the Deep Water Horizon oil spill poured 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Now, a team of chemists, engineers, and biologists is attempting to assess the damage to the Gulf ecosystem.

Hummingbirds Citizen Science Project

Nicaraguan Canal

The first ships sailed down the Panama Canal in 1914. Now, nearly one hundred years later, Nicaragua has an agreement with a Chinese company to build a canal of its own to link the Pacific and Atlantic. (photo: Tim Rogers)

Volunteers came together to provide a gas-free cooking choice for residents who still remain without gas service two months after natural gas explosions in Massachusetts. Living on Earth’s Jenni Doering reports on why one group is handing out hundreds of electric induction cooktops as a safer option.

Vegan fare may be healthier for the planet, but many Americans opt for the traditional turkey and buttery, indulgent dishes on Thanksgiving. But many restaurants are proving that vegan options can offer mouthwatering mouthfuls too. Host Bobby Bascomb visits one.

When a 3500-acre agricultural estate in England that had been in one couple’s family for generations was no longer turning a profit, they turned to an unconventional idea – let the land return to nature. Author Isabella Tree explains the many ecological and financial benefits of the rewilded landscape.

The Climate For Wildfireslisten / download
California’s 2018 wildfire season is one of the most destructive and fatal on record. The Camp fire and the Woolsey Fire have engulfed hundreds of thousands of acres of land and homes in relatively urban areas. Climate change expert and UCLA geography professor Glen MacDonald discusses how climate change factors into the wildfire equation for the state.

Beyond The Headlineslisten / download
Some good news in the fight against pollution this week as Peter Dykstra brings news of a plan to move the state of Indiana away from coal power and celebrates Scotland for generating much of its electricity from wind power. Then, he looks back at an environmental legacy law of President Ronald Reagan.

Beyond Gas For Cookinglisten / download
Volunteers came together to provide a gas-free cooking choice for residents who still remain without gas service two months after natural gas explosions in Massachusetts. Living on Earth’s Jenni Doering reports on why one group is handing out hundreds of electric induction cooktops as a safer option.

A Tasty Vegan Thanksgivinglisten / download
Vegan fare may be healthier for the planet, but many Americans opt for the traditional turkey and buttery, indulgent dishes on Thanksgiving. But many restaurants are proving that vegan options can offer mouthwatering mouthfuls too. Host Bobby Bascomb visits one.

Rewilding The English Countrysidelisten / download
When a 3500-acre agricultural estate in England that had been in one couple’s family for generations was no longer turning a profit, they turned to an unconventional idea – let the land return to nature. Author Isabella Tree explains the many ecological and financial benefits of the rewilded landscape.

Field Note: Night MovesOur Explorer-in-Residence Mark Seth Lender elaborates on the huffing sound African lions make, as depicted in his essay "Night Moves", and on how alternative forms of communication can contribute to a social group's success.Blog Series:Mark Seth Lender Field Notes

...Ultimately, if we are going prevent large parts of this Earth from becoming not only inhospitable but uninhabitable in our lifetimes, we are going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground rather than burn them...

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